How to Remove Tree Stumps with Epsom Salt: Natural Step-by-Step Guide to Kill and Decompose Stumps

Why Epsom Salt Works for Stump Removal

Science class was worth it after all.

When you cut down a tree, the stump doesn't just give up. The root system keeps pumping water and nutrients upward, keeping that stump alive — sometimes for years. That's why stumps can sprout new shoots, resist decay, and generally refuse to cooperate with your landscaping plans.

Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) solves this problem through a process called hygroscopic desiccation. In plain English: it sucks the water right out of the wood.

Here's What Happens

• Moisture extraction: Epsom salt is hygroscopic, meaning it naturally attracts and absorbs water molecules. When packed into drilled holes, it pulls moisture from the surrounding wood cells.
• Cell death: Without water, the living tissue in the stump dies. No more nutrient transport, no more regrowth potential.
• Accelerated decay: Once dead, the stump becomes food for decomposing fungi and bacteria, breaking down much faster than a living stump would.

The Bonus: Soil Benefits

Unlike rock salt (sodium chloride), which can sterilize soil and kill surrounding plants, Epsom salt actually improves your garden soil as it breaks down:

• Magnesium supports chlorophyll production and helps plants absorb other nutrients
• Sulfur aids protein synthesis and enzyme function in plants

So while you're killing the stump, you're feeding the plants you actually want to keep.

Materials You'll Need

Nothing fancy — you probably have most of this already.

• Drill with 1-inch spade bit (or the largest bit you have)
• 100% Epsom salt — about 1–2 pounds per foot of stump diameter (our USP-grade Epsom salt works perfectly)
• Water — just enough to moisten the salt
• Mattock, grub hoe, or shovel — for exposing roots
• Tarp or plastic sheeting (optional) — to keep rain from washing away the salt
• Protective gear — safety glasses and work gloves

Pro tip: Buy more Epsom salt than you think you need. You'll likely reapply several times over the coming months.

How to Kill a Tree Stump with Epsom Salt: Step-by-Step

This isn't a weekend project — it's a 10-minute task you'll repeat a few times over several months.

Step 1: Drill Holes Into the Stump

• Using your 1-inch spade bit, drill holes across the top of the stump
• Start about 3 inches from the outer edge and space holes 3–4 inches apart
• Drill at least 8–10 inches deep — deeper is better for larger stumps
• Angle some holes toward the center for maximum penetration

Pro tip: Drilling on a slight downward angle helps the salt solution pool in the holes rather than run out.

Step 2: Fill Holes with Epsom Salt

• Pack each hole completely full of dry Epsom salt
• Add just enough water to moisten the salt — don't flood it
• The water helps carry the magnesium sulfate into the wood cells

Step 3: Treat Exposed Roots

• Use your mattock or shovel to expose as much of the root system as practical
• Pour a thick layer of Epsom salt directly onto exposed roots
• This cuts off the stump's backup water and nutrient supply

Step 4: Cover and Wait

• Optionally cover the stump with a tarp to prevent rain from diluting the salt
• Wait 3 weeks before your first check-in

Step 5: Monitor and Reapply

• Check the stump every 3 weeks
• Reapply Epsom salt to any holes that have emptied or look washed out
• Signs of progress: Wood becomes darker, more brittle, and dry to the touch
• Signs of life: Wood remains light-colored, soft, and moist

Expect the killing process to take 2–3 months. Full decomposition takes 6–12 months depending on stump size and wood type.

How to Speed Up Stump Decomposition

Patience is a virtue, but so is getting that stump gone before next summer.

Once the stump is dead (brittle, dark, no soft spots), you can accelerate decomposition:

Add High-Nitrogen Fertilizer

Decomposing fungi and bacteria need nitrogen to break down wood efficiently. Adding a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to the holes and around the base feeds these decomposers and speeds up the process significantly.

We recommend our Organic Blood Meal Fertilizer (12-0-0) — it's one of the highest-nitrogen organic options available and breaks down slowly for sustained feeding.

Keep It Moist (But Not Wet)

Decomposition requires moisture. If you're in a dry climate, water the stump area occasionally to keep decomposer organisms active.

Add Compost or Soil

Piling compost or garden soil over the dead stump introduces more decomposing microorganisms and creates an ideal environment for breakdown.

Epsom Salt vs. Other Stump Removal Methods

Not all stump killers are created equal — here's how they stack up.

The bottom line: Epsom salt is the only method that kills the stump and improves your soil. If you're not in a rush and want to replant in that spot eventually, it's the clear winner.

Your Stump Removal Questions, Answered

Key Takeaways

Ready to Say Goodbye to That Stump?

Epsom salt won't give you instant results, but it will give you good results — a dead stump, healthy soil, and zero rental equipment fees. Plus, there's something satisfying about solving a problem with simple chemistry and a little patience.

Grab a bag of our USP-grade Epsom salt, drill some holes, and let nature (with a little help from magnesium sulfate) do the rest.